Montage Method

Abstract

A computing system, composed of a series or set of algorithms which are relevant to either the layout or composition of a photomontage, is applied to a plurality of images. This system can be operated either by a human user specifying placement and location of a plurality of digital images, called an image set, onto a specified output size or the system itself acts to generate, through a series of placement and compositional steps, the montage onto the specified output size. The system can be operated in either mode at any point through the operation as specified by the user. In the fully automated system the image analysis algorithms and the resulting information is placed within the appropriate vector in a data array of the system and henceforward available to the system of the invention for evaluation of the montage score once the generation of the montage is complete. The evaluation of the overall resulting multi-image montage with the same image analysis algorithms is then used to determine the fitness of the resultant montage and the fitness is then compared with the objective or target function for the desired montage.

1 . A method for the automatic generation of a montage of images comprising the steps of: 
 inputting a plurality of images to be used in creating the montage;    determining the size of the montage to be created;    setting up a memory data array of vector information for each of the plurality of images;    setting up options and parameters relevant to the creation of a montage;    evaluating each image through image analysis algorithms to ascertain essential metadata and inputting the resulting data into the array;    determining the constraints to which the montage is limited;    randomly choosing a starting point at which the first image will be placed;    reserving places for all subsequent images in accordance to the constraints; and    carrying out a validation test to determine if the montage is acceptable;    if acceptable, placing the images in the places reserved for them and displaying the resulting montage and if not acceptable, going back to the step of choosing a random starting point.    
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the options include the amount of overlap between images in the montage.  
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the constraints to which the montage is limited, includes at least one of: 
 no overlap of the main subject area of each image;    correct orientation of each image; and    preferred overlap of images is maintained.    
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein to ensure no overlap of the main subject of each image the main subject of each image is determined and a boundary box is set up which encloses each main subject.  
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the validation test comprises providing every constraint with a score, the magnitude of the score determining whether or not the montage is acceptable.  
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the full montage is scored and the score is compared with an objective score, the montage being found acceptable if the score is greater than the objective score.  
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the information concerning any acceptable montage generated either through user driven activity or through fully automated montage creation is then stored and accessible for subsequent use in preparation of future montages.  
   
   
       8 . A system for the automatic generation of a montage of images comprising: 
 means for inputting a plurality of images to be used in creating the montage;    means for determining the size of the montage to be created;    means for setting up a memory data array of vector information for each of the plurality of images;    means for setting up options and parameters relevant to the creation of a montage:    analysis means for evaluating each image through image analysis algorithms to ascertain essential metadata and means for inputting the resulting data into the array;    means for determining the constraints to which the montage is limited;    means for randomly choosing a starting point at which the first image will be placed and placing the first image at that point;    means for placing all subsequent images in accordance to the constraints;    validation means for carrying out a validation test to determine if the montage is acceptable; and    means for displaying the resulting montage.